Hopeful Streaks

Chapter 10

A week got ahead. Mitha, accustomed herself to a daily grind. She started reading some of the best book series, that Ajay had in his area. Also, she became cautious with eyes peeled in not entering his room, with out any uncompromising reasons. On top of all, She started communicating with Divya, regularly. Though, she knew that she was her doctor, she had one more plight now. She was now her sister-in-law! Everything was the same, between Ajay and Mitha. She slowly forgot Mr.Rish, and became acclimated to Jay! Ajay, on the other hand was struggling hard to stay as Mr. Rish, not to turn into Jay. However, the cooking pact between them was the same.

As Mitha got out of the bed and refreshed herself, she came out to Divya's part of the room and checked on her. She felt attached to Divya, especially after the wedding. Mitha bent down to ruffle her hair and smiled at her. After apprehending that Divya was running out of medicines and injections, she penned down her pills. She then came to the kitchen and then noticed that Ajay was making coffee, already. She made an entry at the kitchen, and greeted Ajay,"Good morning, Jay!", she chuckled!

Ajay, who was attending the coffee maker due to its bing turned slightly, to her side and smirked,"Morning doctor!".

"Jay! Don't call me that!!",Mitha being miffed leered at Ajay, cockeyedly.

Ajay let out a chuckle and handed over her coffee mug to her. Once, they were in the dining table gobbling up their salads and sandwiches, Mitha finally garnered up her courage and finalized to let out a blab about Divya, to Ajay.

"Your eminence in business is well-known!", Mitha, muttered looking at her plate, which implies that there was no eye contact.

"Ah huh!", Ajay's voice clanged cryptically.

"I know that you're an impeccable entrepreneur... But this is the time to act as a responsible brother!", She said and looked at him raising her brows.

"What do you actually want to say?", He stiffened. She knew that it would happen. She was aware of his selective weirdness in his sister's thing. It was the only reason of not talking about Divya to him, until that day.

"You were normal till now! And why do you act weird while talking about her?", Mitha flamed in a low voice. He was cool, taking a bite on his toast.

"Let me first finish what i wanted to say! Please.", she solicited.

"Go on!", He threw away a you wouldn't stop even if i ask you to do so look and listened to her.

"Frankly speaking! But be all ears, i am now off the crown called Mrs.Rish! This is purely Dr.Mitha discussing! You cannot question me that I don't deserve the rights to ask all these! Though, i am rightful legally!", she left out a smug look.

"Okayyy!!", It was him who chuckled, this time. He wasn't  amazed about what she was going to discuss!

"Why don't you talk to Divya? Like, why don't you even care if she is okay or not! I couldn't perceive this thing!! Why don't you realize that only medicines and science cannot cure her?", she raised her voice this time.

Ajay, let out a fatigued exhale. Mitha's heart throbbed. She was highly tensed thinking about what he would reply and how he would respond.

"Well, That's personal! That cannot be made known to the doctor!", he leered and grinned.

"Oh! Acting smart ! Eh? " she molded her forehead to her palm. However, Mitha sensed that it was highly impossible for her to stop herself, from talking to him or seeing him. Like, REALLY IMPOSSIBLE!!

"Okay! I give up!!", Mitha, raised her hands up and he sneered and let out an villainous expression that made her heart clench! She couldn't apprehend why it was so adorable when he did something! Even, a real simple thing did mean a lot to her, when it was him. After this nonsensical mockery on her, she felt it too awkward to be silently eating.

"Jay! Can i ask you something else?", She asked as he looked up into her eyes. That was enough for her to forget every thing else.

"Now! As Dr.Mitha or as Mrs.Rish?", he asked nefariously! And this question make her throat go dry. It was so much fine and dandy, to hear that Mrs.Rish from his mouth.

"Hmm... As Mrs.Rish!", she answered, as she felt as if she was put in an electric chair. What he just asked had hit her like a ton of bricks! Her eyes fluttered, so did her heart. She, some how managed to compose herself and unsealed her mouth," I saw... Ermm.. Well, i saw a guitar in your room!", She hesitated but completely spat out what she wanted to tell .

"Do you play Guitar?", she asked and bit her lips.

His fists clenched and eyes reddened! An abrupt swap in his mood was so transparent. Okay, that was a bad move. She thought. Actually, she couldn't control her big mouth. She thought of not talking anything, which made them feel the awkwardness a bit more. That's why, she started talking again. And her stupid mouth,didn't comply with what she had already decided ! She asked him about the guitar.

He sighed wearily and hung his head. He had wrinkled his glabella and narrowed his swarthy brows. She felt bad for making him feel that. She scowled shamefully. She didn't want to see him broken or in grief. She then slowly, poured in a glass of fresh, cool water and moved it to his sight. "Jay..", she whispered and looked at his face. He didn't bother to look up at her. His eyes were struggling to get over something. Those eyes were tired of everything that had hurt him so hard. Suddenly, Math's words about Ajay's pain in life echoed in her ears.

"Jay.. I am sorry! Trust me, I won't be opening my dirty mouth about this hereafter. I swear!!", she obliged . She really felt it afflicting and raw. She didn't mean to do so, after all.

"Jay! I am sorry Jay! Like, I didn't know that it would affect you so much." His sight scratched the glass of water that was being crawled by Mitha. He couldn't apprehend why he was still worrying for something that was not his thing at that time. He had been so strong, since his infancy. He closed eyes tight, and inspirited himself. Mitha's eyes cracked out a tear drop. She slowly, fondled his hand and looked at him to solace him. He felt solace in her embrace, instantly. He decided not to overthink and worry about that. The guitar, reminded him about Sana. He loved her so much. She should've not betrayed him.Only he knew, how much he suffered to get over her. After all, she was his first love. That's why he didn't want to involve in something that he had already abandoned long ago. Gently, he removed his hand from from her palm. Suddenly, she felt too embarrassed as he had gone out of her tactility. His long fingers then moved towards the glass of water and sipped in few gulps. He then let out a hush of air, and looked at her. She was already gazing at him. "It was me.. I just over reacted! You don't have to be sorry.", he said and Mitha, felt in ease only after that. On top of all, she was afraid that he would burst out in anger. That was totally unmanageable and something that she couldn't handle. Her face got rid off that controversial deliberation.

"I didn't mean to hurt you, Jay! Sorry!!", She whispered staring down at her empty plate.

"That's... That's totally okay! Ermm..", he choked this time. Without reasons, he made her feel guilty and that was his problem at that moment.

"Are you okay? Seriously?", Mitha dilated her eye balls. Her puffed out eyes, made her look too innocent, that made him let out a snicker. Ajay, shook his head in amusement and got back his spirits in nothing flat. "Seriously!!", he stressed!

"My goodness!!", she felt a wave of relief only when he giggled and shook his head being amused.

"Hey! Did I tell you?", he asked being done with the breakfast.

"What?", she rolled her eyes and listened to him keenly.

"I will be out of station for the next three days! I have to go to Vegas, Officially!", he said and she frowned immediately.

Though, they were not lovey-dovey kind of couple, somehow Mitha felt comfortable and secured when Ajay, was around her. She was okay with him being around. But now, she is going to miss him for the next three days. She knew well that she was going to miss him whereas, Ajay didn't sense that since, he was too diligent in his work.

"What?", she asked with a big question mark on her face.

"I am going to Vegas! Three days trip. You're going to be alone with Divya! Take care of yourself and her. Stay safe. I won't be coming tonight. I will be leaving to my airfield now after checking mails at my office. Don't dare to move out of the house alone! You get that?", Ajay said in strict tone. When it was her safety, he did care the most. However, she liked the fact that he cared for her. She sat without mobility, on hearing how heedlessly he spoke just now.

Not even eyes flashed.

"Breathe Jay!! Why so serious?"she tried to make the convo airy but he didn't come down!

"Listen! This is not something funny. Okay? Be careful. You're going be alone.", He said in an iron fisted voice. ' YOU'RE GOING TO BE ALONE' , It sounded so serious to her. Those words kept repeating in her ears.

Her lashes flickered. She turned humorless in a second, realizing the seriousness in what he just announced. "Okay! I will be careful and stay safe.", She said, as she started gulp off the water in her glass.

He placed the glass on the table and got up from the chair, and grabbed his coat and that's when his PA arrived letting out a morning greeting!

"Good morning, Sir!", Karthik greeted.

"Morning, Karthik! Is everything ready?", Ajay asked adjusting his tie.

Mitha, remained seated and gazed at them.

"Yes, Sir! The aircraft is kept ready, Sir!", he informed.

"Okay! Let's leave then.", he said and started to walk towards the entrance, followed by Karthik. Mitha, sat there seeing him walking away. How mean? He didn't even tell her that he was leaving. As soon as he saw his PA, he forgot his home, wife everything and hopped down with a great enthusiasm in business. Though, Mitha was proud of his sincerity in his business, she had always felt bad for Divya. She was in a bad luck! She had a brother who was rich; who can give her good food, education and everything but not some time to spend for her or talk to her. This seemed to be too horrifying to Mitha. While she was thinking about Divya and Ajay, she heard some footsteps! When she turned around to the opposite side, by which she faced the entrance of the dining hall, she noticed Ajay's tall frame standing there. She was confused. He, just left without even informing her and now again, he was standing in front of her! What for was he doing all these thing that pleased Mitha?

"I missed this out! I am leaving. Bye!!", he said with a small smile and turned around. On ambulating few steps forward, he paused for a second and turned his head towards Mitha, who was already flying high due to his re-entry.

"...And yes, I play guitar!", he confessed and walked away faster. She couldn't open her mouth in surprise. Was that the same Ajay, who came back again just because that he didn't bid her a good bye?. With that, the smile on her face grew bigger! She couldn't even believe if that really happened. He freaking came back to her and informed her that he was leaving . On top of everything, he accepted that he plays guitar. What else, would make her feel okay?

With that smile on her face, she ran out to the front porch. On seeing his car driving away, she let out a sigh due to a relief. The contentment that she didn't make him shout in anger, and the happiness that he came back and informed her that he was leaving. On finishing savoring what her husband had just did for her, she finished cleaning the dining table and moved in to Divya's room. She neared Divya and sat behind her.

"Hey, Baby girl!!", She exclaimed in joy, soothing her head.

As she saw Divya's face, that was too innocent and harmless, she started talking to her. Even as a doctor, Mitha strongly believed that not only medicines could cure someone! Love is the medicine that's capable to curing everything.

"Do you know what your brother had just did?", she asked seeing Divya! Divya, remained the same with eyes closed, and lips sealed.

"Don't worry! He will come to you and talk. Trust me, i will make it happen one day!",Mitha said and kissed her temples and leaned back to the chair. Her sick brain didn't realize that she had forgotten to handover Divya's prescription to Ajay. Divya was running out of meds! She was struck! Mitha immediately, dialed Deborah and asked if she could buy medicines for Divya and come home to give those. Deborah, agreed.

Being done for that day's duty, she leaned back to her chair and got lost in to the books, that she had gotten from Ajay, to read during the lonely time.

Mitha, felt that she was constantly having an emotional bond between her and Ajay. Though, she was firm that it was not love.. At least for now, It was something else, that couldn't be named. This unnamed, beautifully woven relationship with Ajay, was so much alluring. Ajay, had changed. He thought twice or thrice before exposing his anger to her. He was tired of being rough and dry to everyone around. He wanted love. He wanted love and wanted to be loved. At first, he just thought that it was just an edacious, unwanted stuff in his life. Even then, he didn't decide that he wanted someone for him. But, with Mitha he felt complete solace. Only she was able to solace him and soothe him to peace. Both of them, behaved normal to each other leaving the rest to destiny's way.

Soon, Mitha heard someone knocking the door. She thought it was Deb, at the doorstep and opened the knob hurriedly. But to her dismay, it was the doorman who handed over a cover of tablets and medications that she had prescribed to Divya. Thinking deeply, why Deborah hadn't come in, she moved in after thanking the doorman and her phone rang.

On picking up her phone,Deborah talked in a burned out tone!

"Deb, why didn't you come inside?",Mitha interrogated.

"Bon-bon! I am done for the day! I need some sleep. Also, i felt too lazy to climb up.", Deborah groaned.

Mitha,  had actually thought of calling Deb to accompany her for that night as she had to stay alone. But after hearing what Deb said, she didn't bother to inform her. It became that evening. She started missing her time with Ajay. It was their time. Even during the time that she had to cook, she would wait until Ajay came back home. She had always felt it boring to eat alone. She couldn't do that. But now, Ajay was gone afar, for three days! She missed him.

The next two days went plainly. She anticipated a call or text from Ajay, from day one. But there was none. She thought of messaging him but anyhow washed her hands off! A kind of ego, sneaked in. She knew that her expectation was not fair! Though, they were husband and wife it was unfair to expect from him as he had clearly told her that it was just a pact. Even then, her stupid heart didn't convince. She experienced each and every sign of missing him. That was the end of the second day. She couldn't take a stand if she should declare the truth that she missed him, to Ajay. Together with a slight letdown that he hadn't called her since two days. After dinner, that day when she was loading the utensils in the dishwasher, she heard some jangle of noise from her room, which is also Divya's room. She immediately, paused the chore and made off to her room like a lightening. On opening the door, she was Siddarth standing at the window side, scratching his head, gazing down at the fallen curtain. The curtain of that window, had fallen down due to this guy's monkey job of jumping in through the window. After all, he had come after so many days. She didn't see him after that day. On seeing the mess that he had made, she moved towards the room and started speaking,"Hey you! What's this?", she yelled being scared due to his unexpected arrival.

He looked up at her and made an innocent reaction on his face, gesturing that it was not his fault. She moved in, furthermore and scrutinized that fallen curtain and got dismayed!

"You're such a monkey! What have you done?", she shrieked.

"Trust me Mrs. Rish! I didn't do anything!!", he justified himself! The word Mrs.Rish, was like eating a tub full of her favorite chocolate fudge ice-cream. She raised her hands up, to speak up something! Before she could open her mouth, he started taunting her.

"Before a week, it was Ms..Mitha, and now Mrs. Mitha Ajay Rish!! Hmm!", he twisted his lips, with a naughty smile dancing on them.

"You're....", she started again and he cut her off.

"You're!", he embellished his eyes and imitated her.

"Brother! You stop taunting me now, otherwise I wouldn't mind calling my husband here!!", she tried threatening him. But he being too brainy said,"Tell me how could someone come from Vegas to Madras*, in a jiffy!", coolly and sat on the couch.

"Sister! I know that he is out of station!!",he smirked, and leaned back.

She let out an exhale; and folded her hands close to her chest and muttered!

"Tell me now! What should i reason out to my husband if he ask about this curtain? Tell me that!!", she gritted her teeth and pointed out the curtain.

"Say that a monkey sneaked in and pulled it down!", he winked at her playfully.

"Okay, I came here to talk to Divya! Not to argue with you! I don't have much time!!", he said and got up from the couch.

"She is here, you're here! Go, talk!!", she moved and extended her hand towards Divya's bed.

"Yeah! She is here, i am here and you're here too!! Give us some privacy, sister!", Siddarth said sarcastically. How could she apprehend that he wanted privacy with Divya? Moreover she was not supposed to leave Divya alone with someone, whom she had known as her boyfriend. Somehow she rolled her eyes, and excused herself out of the room. She then paused at the doorstep and turned to him and informed,"listen, you've got only ten minutes! Clear?", She asked.

"More than enough!!", he smirked!

She then came out of the room and entered the porch and  waited for Siddharth. After ten good minutes, every inch of her body had the shakes on seeing Ajay's car entering the villa.

________